Registration Now Open!

Interested in sponsoring? Use the button below to open a fillable PDF that you can mail, fax, or email to us.

Now in its sixth year, the Fall in Love 10K and 5K Run & Walk to benefit Special Love is a great way to support Mid-Atlantic children with cancer and their families, all while enjoying a scenic run (or walk) along the C&O Canal Towpath.

Special Love sponsors retreats, like the week-long Camp Fantastic, that give young cancer patients and their families the chance to get out of the hospital to enjoy traditional camp activities and a community of support made up of people who understand what they’re going through. Special Love also provides financial assistance in the form of emergency relief and college scholarships.

There are two ways to be a hero this year:

1.Join our FIL5K10K Fundraising Team by visiting our CrowdRise page and clicking on the gray button at lower right (Fundraise for this campaign). Your pledges from friends and family will help us serve even more kids with cancer and their families.

2.Add $20 to your registration fee – deadlines and amounts listed above left – and you get a cape! (Of course, that means your friends and family won’t feel included, but that’s on you…) However you decide to support our special kids, thank you!

The Foggy Bottom Metro is 1 mile away – from the rotary, walk west on K St towards the waterfront. If you follow the waterfront park, we’ll be just on the other side of Key Bridge! Foggy Bottom Metro Info

Please check the Metro website for any service changes that may be in effect during the weekend of the race.

By Taxi

UBER – transportation in minutes with the UBER app!
First-time riders on Uber can use Promo Code: uberGOODTIMES to get their first ride for free (up to $20.00)!

If you’ve never used UBER before, download the UBER app to your smartphone. Uber uses GPS and Wi-Fi to pick you up, or you can enter the exact address where you want to be picked up and dropped off. Once you’ve set your location and vehicle option, tap “Set Pickup Location” to request your ride.

LYFT – transportation in minutes with the LYFT app!
First-time riders on LYFT get a free ride up to $10.

If you’ve never used LYFT before, download the LYFT app to your smartphone. LYFT uses GPS and Wi-Fi to pick you up, or you can enter the exact address where you want to be picked up and dropped off. Once you’ve set your location and vehicle option, tap “REQUEST RIDE” to request your ride. Use this address as your drop-off location: 3500 Water St NW, Washington, DC 20007.

By Car

From VA: From the Key Bridge, take a right onto M St. Take M Street towards Wisconsin Ave (major intersection). Continue on M Street and make a right on Wisconsin Ave, 31st, 30th, or 29th Street, and go down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, make a right onto Water/K Street and take the road all the way to the end. You can park along this street (metered parking). Alternately, you can park north of M Street in the residential areas.

From MD (via Clara Barton Parkway and Canal Road): From Canal Road, continue straight onto M St NW. Take M Street towards Wisconsin Ave (major intersection). Continue on M Street and make a right on Wisconsin Ave, 31st, 30th, or 29th Street, and go down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, make a right onto Water/K Street and take the road all the way to the end. You can park along this street (metered parking). Alternately, you can park north of M Street in the residential areas.

From MD (via Wisconsin Ave): Take Wisconsin Ave all the way down to K Street (turns into Water St). At the bottom of the hill, make a right onto Water/K Street and take the road all the way to the end. You can park along this street (metered parking). Alternately, you can park north of M Street in the residential areas.

Parking Near Event

If you plan to drive to the race, follow the driving directions above. There is parking (metered) along Water Street (see below or click the Register Now link at the top). Please make sure to arrive early enough to find parking, and warm-up!

Packet Pickup

BONUS! You’ll get $10 from Road Runner Sports to spend on anything you want in the store! (min. $30) New/Existing VIP Family Members save 25% on everything! Don’t miss out on this exclusive gift for race participants only when you join the Packet Pickup Party! Restrictions apply. See store for details.

Race-day packet pick up will also be available, but limited — participants are urged to pick up their packets in advance, if possible!

Race Day Timeline

9:15 am – Registration opensRunners will assemble near the race start area at the C & O Towpath underneath the Whitehurst Freeway.

10 am – 10K Race Start!Runners will depart in waves.

10:15 am – 5K Race Start!Runners will depart in waves.

Post-race – Relax and help yourself to a snack. Awards and announcements will take place at the starting area. Gift certificates and prizes will be awarded to the top five overall finishers in the 5k and the 10k. Door prizes will also be awarded based on bib number.

Bag Check

We will have bag check available on the day of the race. We encourage you to bring only what you need to get to and from the race. Although the bags will be watched, Federal City Runners and Special Love will not be held responsible for lost or stolen items.

The Course

We will meet at the C & O Canal Towpath near Whitehurst Freeway (GPS Address: 3500 Water St NW, Washington, DC 20007).
See directions to the side.
This will be an out and back race along the canal, so split times will not be available. The best address for GPS and directional purposes is 3500 Water St NW, Washington, DC 20007.